Authentic South Indian fare served cafeteria-style in the brightly lit basement of a Hindu temple.
Hours
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM–7:30 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Sunday | 8:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Monday | 8:30 AM–8:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 143-09 Holly Ave, Flushing, NY 11355
Phone: (718) 460-8493
Website: http://canteen.nyganeshtemple.org/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: templecanteenny.com
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
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Reviews
Debisree Ray
This is one of the most well-known South Indian eateries in the New York City area, located not in Manhattan but in Flushing, Queens. What makes it unique is that it’s situated in the basement of a South Indian Hindu temple. You can attend temple service upstairs and then come downstairs to the cafeteria-style eatery.
We visited one evening close to closing time, but the place was still packed — mostly with Indian diners, which makes sense since many of us eat dinner late. While the temple upstairs was what you’d typically expect, the dining hall downstairs was lively and full. Even so, we managed to find a table.
This is a fully self-service setup. You place your order at the counter, sit down, and wait for your number to be called to collect the food. There’s no table service or fancy dining experience here — it’s rustic, basic, and entirely focused on fresh, hot, authentic South Indian (Tamil-style) food.
We started with upma, which tasted very homely — the kind that reminds you of food cooked at home. The portion was generous enough to share between two people and came with sambar. Interestingly, the sambar here seemed to be made with moong dal instead of the usual tuvar dal, and it wasn’t very spicy. I actually loved it — it was comforting and quite unique compared to most sambars I’ve had elsewhere.
We then ordered dosas. I originally wanted a rava dosa, but they were out of it, so we settled for a paper masala dosa. The service was quite slow — possibly because it was late in the evening — and we had to wait a long time after finishing the upma. By the time our dosas arrived, they were almost closing, but the dosas were hot, freshly prepared, and satisfying.
The food overall wasn’t extravagant, but it was exactly what you’d expect — simple, authentic, and well-executed. The standout for me was definitely the sambar/dal, which felt different and memorable. The rest of the meal was good, though fairly basic. We ended with gulab jamun, which was very standard.
All in all, it’s a solid place to visit if you’re in the area and craving authentic South Indian food. Nothing fancy — just honest, comforting meals served fresh.
… moreWe visited one evening close to closing time, but the place was still packed — mostly with Indian diners, which makes sense since many of us eat dinner late. While the temple upstairs was what you’d typically expect, the dining hall downstairs was lively and full. Even so, we managed to find a table.
This is a fully self-service setup. You place your order at the counter, sit down, and wait for your number to be called to collect the food. There’s no table service or fancy dining experience here — it’s rustic, basic, and entirely focused on fresh, hot, authentic South Indian (Tamil-style) food.
We started with upma, which tasted very homely — the kind that reminds you of food cooked at home. The portion was generous enough to share between two people and came with sambar. Interestingly, the sambar here seemed to be made with moong dal instead of the usual tuvar dal, and it wasn’t very spicy. I actually loved it — it was comforting and quite unique compared to most sambars I’ve had elsewhere.
We then ordered dosas. I originally wanted a rava dosa, but they were out of it, so we settled for a paper masala dosa. The service was quite slow — possibly because it was late in the evening — and we had to wait a long time after finishing the upma. By the time our dosas arrived, they were almost closing, but the dosas were hot, freshly prepared, and satisfying.
The food overall wasn’t extravagant, but it was exactly what you’d expect — simple, authentic, and well-executed. The standout for me was definitely the sambar/dal, which felt different and memorable. The rest of the meal was good, though fairly basic. We ended with gulab jamun, which was very standard.
All in all, it’s a solid place to visit if you’re in the area and craving authentic South Indian food. Nothing fancy — just honest, comforting meals served fresh.
Deepanshu Rao
Very fairly priced South Indian vegetarian restaurant/canteen in Flushing, located in the basement of the temple. The food was delicious and at the same time wasn’t too oily. Although, the snacks were a bit on the expensive end, I felt, but definitely a must-visit.
… moreMJ B
The gift and book shop next to the canteen is must visit. They have musical
instrument including veena, dholak and harmonium. various idols, puja samagri and books.
Food at the canteen on top notch. Tasty, authentic, fresh A+++. Idly, vada, pongal and masala dosa were some of the best i have eaten outside India.
Must visit the temple next door. temple is very beautiful, clean and serene inside. Must visit the spiritual shrine.
… moreinstrument including veena, dholak and harmonium. various idols, puja samagri and books.
Food at the canteen on top notch. Tasty, authentic, fresh A+++. Idly, vada, pongal and masala dosa were some of the best i have eaten outside India.
Must visit the temple next door. temple is very beautiful, clean and serene inside. Must visit the spiritual shrine.
Jia Sun
An inexpensive vegetarian spot at the basement of the temple. A bit of trek from the city, the food is excellent with a large variety of dosas and sides. Usually get a bag of snacks to go that last weeks.
… moreMohit Kumar
I stopped by the Hindu Temple Canteen after visiting the temple and the place delivers exactly what people say about it. The food is simple, fresh and made with the kind of consistency you only get in a temple kitchen.
I tried two plates because I was there with a friend. The pongal was warm, comforting and properly seasoned. The curd vada had a light, balanced taste and felt refreshing. The mixture on the side added a nice crunch. The dosa was crisp, not oily, and the coconut chutney tasted clean. The sambar was mild but paired well with everything.
The canteen is not about presentation. It’s about honest food that feels familiar and satisfying. Portions are fair and pricing is very reasonable for New York. If you’re already visiting the temple, stopping here makes total sense. It’s quick, reliable and a good break before heading back out.
… moreI tried two plates because I was there with a friend. The pongal was warm, comforting and properly seasoned. The curd vada had a light, balanced taste and felt refreshing. The mixture on the side added a nice crunch. The dosa was crisp, not oily, and the coconut chutney tasted clean. The sambar was mild but paired well with everything.
The canteen is not about presentation. It’s about honest food that feels familiar and satisfying. Portions are fair and pricing is very reasonable for New York. If you’re already visiting the temple, stopping here makes total sense. It’s quick, reliable and a good break before heading back out.
Xo Li
It’s a bit hidden, but worth finding it. The prices were so reasonable and while the food was not the best Indian food I have tried it was very hearty and filling. I had upma. They also have a beautiful temple. It’s a hidden gem and I’m glad I got a chance to see it and have food here.
… moreSamarpan Dhakal
Whether you’re religious or not, the food is amazing. The dosas here are much better than the cart in Washington Square park. I have been coming here since I was a kid, and I still come back here and there even though I don’t live in NYC anymore. Wait times after placing your order may be about a half hour or more, but it’s worth the wait.
… moreShanmugavel SRD
Authentic South India dishes and all are delicious. Dosai, poori, vadai, onion pakoda are must try. 2 counters were there and it didn’t take even 5 minutes to order on a weekend. Got dosai within 10 minutes. There’s additional packing charges for take out. It’s 2 level below the ground level and steps are kind of narrow, so be cautious when you have elders with you.
… moreSyamantak Roy
The best south indian food in the area. The price is moderate. The ambiance quiet. Lots of places to sit. The dosa s are excellent. So is the idli vada combo. The Mysore masala.dosa is as authentic as it can get. Overall a definite recommendation if you want home style south indian food
… moreSneha Shaji
Gave 4 To-go orders – 2 different orders of Rava dosa, 1 order of Vada(4pieces), 1 order of Masala dosa. This order was for office lunch time for 3 different people. And they giving me sambar in one 16oz container ♀️. How in the world will 3 ppl eat from one 16 oz container of sambar and chutney. And we had left overs, so who will take the 1 container of sambar and chutney home?! At least do 3 different packaging for 4 orders! And you mentioned in the bill Packaging charge $0.50 each x 4 ?!
… more